Pistis Sophia 71–76

English translation by G. R. S. Mead (1921); the original is not shown

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished saying these words, that Matthew came forward and said: “I have understood the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered. Now, therefore, give commandment unto me, that I speak it in openness.” And the First Mystery answered and said: “I give commandment unto thee, Matthew, to set forth the interpretation of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered.” And Matthew answered and said: “Concerning the interpretation of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, thus thy Light-power prophesied aforetime thereon through the Ode of Solomon: “‘ 1. He who hath led me down out of the higher regions which are above, hath led me up out of I the regions which are in the bottom below. 2. Who hath there taken those in the midst, he hath taught me concerning them. “‘ 3. Who hath scattered my foes and my adversaries, he hath bestowed power on me over the bonds, to unloose them. “’ 4. Who hath smitten the serpent with the seven heads with my hands, he hath set me up above its root, that I may extinguish its seed. “’ 5. And thou wert with me, helping me; in all regions thy name surrounded me. “’ 6. Thy right hand hath destroyed the venom of the slanderer; thy hand hath cleared the way for thy faithful. “‘ 7. Thou hast freed them out of the tombs and hast removed them from the midst of the corpses. “’ 8. Thou hast taken dead bones and hast clothed them with a body and to them who stirred not, hast thou given the activity of life. “’ 9. Thy way is become indestructibleness and thy face [also]. “’ 10. Thou hast led thy æon above decay, so that they all may be loosed and renewed and thy light become a foundation for them all. “‘ 11. Thou hast piled thy riches upon them and they have become a holy dwelling-place.’ “This then, my Lord, is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered. Hearken, therefore, that I may say it in openness. “The word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: ’ Who hath led me down out of the higher regions which are above, he hath also led me up out of the regions which are in the bottom below,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ I sing praises unto thee; through thy commandment hast thou led me down out of this higher æon which is above, and hast led me to the regions below. And again through thy commandment thou hast saved me and led me up out of the regions which are below.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: ’ Who hath there taken those in the midst and hath taught me concerning them,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And again through thy commandment hast thou caused the matter in the midst of my power to be purified, and I have seen it.’ “And moreover the word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: ’ Who hath scattered my foes and my adversaries,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ Thou hast scattered far from me all the emanations of Self-willed which constrained me and were hostile to me.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ‘Who hath bestowed on me wisdom over the bonds, to unloose them,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And he hath bestowed on me wisdom to loose myself from the bonds of those emanations.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ’ Who hath smitten the serpent with the seven heads with my hands, he hath set me up above its root, that I may extinguish its seed,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And thou hast smitten the serpent with the seven heads through my hands and set me up above its matter. Thou hast destroyed it, so that its seed may not raise itself up from now on.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ’ And thou wert with me, helping me,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And thou wert with me, giving me power in all this.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ’ And thy name surrounded me in all regions,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ‘And thy light surrounded me in all their regions.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ’ And thy right hand hath destroyed the venom of the slanderers,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And through thee the emanations of Self-willed became powerless, for thou hast taken from them the light of their power.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ‘Thy hand hath cleared the way for thy faithful,’— it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ Thou hast made straight my way to lead me out of the chaos, because I have had faith in thee.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ‘Thou hast freed them out of the tombs and hast removed them from the midst of the corpses,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ‘Thou hast freed me out of the chaos and removed me out of the material darknesses, that is out of the dark emanations which are in the chaos, from which thou hast taken their light.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ’ Thou hast taken dead bones and hast clothed them with a body, and to them who stirred not, thou hast given activity of life,—it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And thou hast taken all my powers in which was no light, and hast bestowed on them within purified light, and unto all my limbs, in which no light stirred, thou hast given life-light out of thy Height.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ‘Thy way is become indestructibleness, and thy face [also],’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And thou hast made straight thy way for me, and the light of thy face hath become for me life indestructible.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ’ Thou hast led thy æon above decay, so that all might be loosed and renewed,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ Thou hast led me, thy power, up above the chaos and above decay, that all the matters in that region may be loosed and all my powers renewed in the Light.’ “And the word which thy power hath spoken: ‘And thy light hath [become] foundation for them all,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ And thy light hath been in them all.’ “And the word which thy light-power hath spoken through Solomon: ’ Thou hast put thy riches over him, and he hath become a holy dwelling-place,’ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ’ Thou hast stayed the Light of thy stream over me, and I have become a purified light.’ “This then, my Lord, is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered.”

English translation by G. R. S. Mead (1921); the original is not shown

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had heard Matthew speak these words, that he said: “Well said, Matthew, and finely, beloved. This is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered.” And the First Mystery continued again and said: “’ 1. I will declare: Thou art the higher Light, for that hast saved me and led me unto thee, and thou hast not let the emanations of Self-willed, which are hostile unto me, take my light. “‘ 2. O Light of lights, I sing praises unto thee; thou hast saved me. “’ 3. O Light, thou hast led up my power out of the chaos; thou hast saved me from them which have gone down into the darkness.’ “These words again hath Pistis Sophia uttered. Now, therefore, whose mind hath become understanding, comprehending the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, let him come forward and set forth their solution.” It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished speaking these words unto the ie. disciples, that Mary came forward and said: “My Lord, my mind is ever understanding, at every time to come forward and set forth the solution of the words which she hath uttered; but I am afraid of Peter, because he threatened me and hateth our sex.” And when she had said this, the First Mystery said unto her: “Every one who shall be filled with the spirit of light to come forward and set forth the solution of what I say, — no one shall be able to prevent him. Now, therefore, O Mary, set forth then the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered,” Then Mary answered and said unto the First Mystery in the midst of the disciples: “My Lord, concerning the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, thus hath thy light-power prophesied aforetime through David: “‘ 1. I will exalt thee, O Lord, for thou hast received me, and thou hast not made glad my foes over me. “‘ 2. O Lord, my God, I cried up unto thee, and thou hast healed me. “’ 3. O Lord, thou hast led up my soul out of hell; thou hast saved me from them which have gone down into the pit.’”

English translation by G. R. S. Mead (1921); the original is not shown

And when Mary had said this, the First Mystery said unto her, “Well said, finely, Mary, blessed one.” And he continued again in the discourse and said unto the disciples: “Sophia again continued in this song and said: “’ 1. The Light hath become my saviour. “’ 2. And it hath changed my darkness into light, and it has rent the chaos which surrounded me and girded me with light.’ “It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished saying these words, that Martha came forward and said: “My Lord, thy power hath prophesied aforetime through David concerning these words: “’ 10. The Lord hath become my helper. “‘11. He hath changed my lamentation into joy; he hath rent my mourning-robe and girded me with joy.’ “And it came to pass when the First Mystery had heard Martha speak these words, that he said: ‘‘Well said, and finely, Martha,”’ And the First Mystery continued again and said unto the disciples: “Pistis Sophia again continued in the song and said: “’ 1. My power, sing praises to the Light and forget not all the powers of the Light which it hath given unto thee. “‘ 2. And the powers which are in thee, sing praises to the name of his holy mystery; “’ 3. Who forgiveth all thy transgression, who saveth thee from all the afflictions with which the emanations of Self-willed have constrained thee; “’ 4. Who hath saved thy light from the emanations of Self-willed which belong to destruction; who hath wreathed thee with light in his compassion, until he saved thee; “‘ 5. Who hath filled thee with purified light; and thy beginning will renew itself as an invisible of the Height.’ “With these words Pistis Sophia sang praises, because she was so-ved and remembered all things which I had done unto her.”

English translation by G. R. S. Mead (1921); the original is not shown

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished setting forth these words unto the disciples, that he said unto them: “Who hath understood the solution of these words, let him come forward and say it in openness.” Mary again came forward and said: “My Lord, concerning these words with which Pistis Sophia hath sung praises, thus thy light-power prophesied them through David: “’ 1. My soul, praise the Lord, let all that is Mary in me praise his holy name. “‘ 2. My soul, praise the Lord and forget not all his requitals. “’ 3. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities; who healeth all thy sicknesses; “’ 4. Who redeemeth thy life from decay; who wreatheth thee with grace and compassion; “‘ 5. Who satisfieth thy longing with good things; thy youth will renew itself as an eagle’s.’ “That is: Sophia will be as the invisibles who are in the Height; he hath, therefore, said ’ as an eagle,’ because the dwelling-place of the eagle is in the height, and the invisibles also are in the Height; that is: Pistis Sophia will shine as the invisibles, as she was from her beginning.” It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had heard Mary say these words, that he said: “Well said, Mary, blessed one.” It came to pass then thereafter, that the First Mystery continued again in the discourse and said unto the disciples: “I took Pistis Sophia and led her up to a region which is below the thirteenth æon, and gave unto her a new mystery of the Light which is not that of her æon, the region of the invisibles. And moreover I gave her a song of the Light, so that from now on the rulers of the æons could not [prevail] against her. And I removed her to that region until I should come after her and bring her to her higher region. “It came to pass then, when I had removed her to that region, that she again uttered this song thus: “‘1. In faith have I had faith in the Light; and it remembered me and hearkened to my song. “’ 2. It hath led my power up out of the chaos and the nether darkness of the whole matter and it hath led me up. It hath removed me to a higher and surer æon, lofty and firm; it hath changed my place on the way which leadeth to my region. “’ 3. And it hath given unto me a new mystery, which is not that of my æon, and given unto me a song of the Light. Now, therefore, O Light, all the rulers will see what thou hast done unto me, and I be afraid and have faith in the Light.’ “This song then Pistis Sophia uttered, rejoicing that she had been led up out of the chaos and brought to regions which are below the thirteenth æon. Now, therefore, let him whom his mind stirreth, so that he understandeth the solution of the thought of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, come forward and say it.” Andrew came forward and said: “My Lord, this is concerning what thy light-power hath prophesied aforetime through David: “’ 1, In patience I tarried for the Lord; he hath given heed unto me and ear unto my weeping. “2. He hath led up my soul out of the pit of misery and out of the filthy mire; he hath set my feet on a rock and made straight my steps. “‘ 3. He hath put in my mouth a new song, a song of praise for our God. Many will see and be afraid and hope in the Lord.’ “It came to pass then, when Andrew had set forth the thought of Pistis Sophia, that the First Mystery said unto him: “Well said, Andrew, blessed one.”

English translation by G. R. S. Mead (1921); the original is not shown

And he continued again in the discourse and said unto the disciples: “These are all adventures which have befallen Pistis Sophia. It came to pass then, when I had led her to the region which is below the thirteenth æon, and was about to go unto the Light and depart from her, that she said unto me: “’ O Light of lights, thou wilt go to the Light and depart from me. And Tyrant Adamas will know that thou hast departed from me and will know that my saviour is not at hand. And he will come again to this region, he and all his rulers who hate me, and Self-willed also will bestow power unto his lion-faced emanation, so that they all will come and constrain me all together and take my whole light from me, in order that I may become powerless and again without light. Now, therefore, O Light and my Light, take from them the power of their light, so that they may not be able to constrain me from now on.’ “It came to pass then, when I heard these words which Pistis Sophia had spoken unto me, that I answered her, saying: ’ My Father, who hath emanated me, hath not yet given me commandment to take their light from them; but I will seal the regions of Self-willed and of all his rulers who hate thee because thou hast had faith in the Light. And I will also seal the regions of Adamas and of his rulers, so that none of them may be able to fight with thee, until their time is completed and the season cometh that my Father give me commandment to take their light from them.’

English translation by G. R. S. Mead (1921); the original is not shown

“And thereafter I said again unto her: ’ Hearken that I may speak with thee about their time, when this which I have said unto thee, will come to pass. It will come to pass when [the] three times are completed.’ “Pistis Sophia answered and said unto me: ‘O Light, by what shall I know when the three times will take place, so that I may be glad and rejoice that the time is near for thee to bring me to my region, and moreover rejoice therein that the time is come when thou wilt take the light-power from all them which hate me, because I have had faith in thy light? ’ “And I answered and said unto her: ’ If thou seest the gate of the Treasury of the Great Light which is opened after the thirteenth æon, and that is the left ronel — when that gate is opened, then are the three times completed. “Pistis Sophia again answered and said: ’ O Light, by what shall I know, — for I am in this region, — that that gate is opened? ’ “And I answered and said unto her: ’ When that gate is opened, they who are in all the æons will know because of the Great Light which will obtain in all their regions. But see, I have now settled that they shall venture no ill against thee, until the three times are completed. And thou wilt have the power of going down into their twelve æons, when it pleaseth thee, and also of returning and going into thy region, which is below the thirteenth æon, and in which thou now art. But thou wilt not have the power of passing through the gate of the Height which is in the thirteenth æon, so as to enter into thy region whence thou didst come down. Moreover, if then the three times are completed. Self-willed and all his rulers will again constrain thee, to take thy light from thee, being enraged against thee and thinking that thou hast imprisoned his power in the chaos, and thinking that thou hast taken its light from it. He will then be embittered against thee, to take from thee thy light, in order that he may send it down into the chaos and it may get down to that emanation of his, so that it may be able to come up out of the chaos and go to his region. Adamas will attempt this. But I will take all thy powers from him and give them unto thee, and I will come to take them. Now, therefore, if they constrain thee at that time, then sing praises to the Light, and I will not delay to help thee. And I will quickly come unto thee to the regions which are below thee. And I will come down to their regions to take their light from them. And I will come to this region whither I have removed thee, and which is below the thirteenth æon, until I bring thee to thy region whence thou art come.’ “It came to pass then, when Pistis Sophia had heard me say these words unto her, that she rejoiced with great joy. But I removed her to the region which is below the thirteenth æon. I went to the Light and departed from her.” And all these adventures the First Mystery told to the disciples, that they should come to pass for Pistis Sophia. And he sat on the Mount of Olives, narrating all these adventures in the midst of the disciples. And he continued again and said unto them: “And it came to pass again after this, while I was in the world of men and sat in the way, that is in this region which is the Mount of Olives, before my vesture was sent unto me, -which I had deposited in the four-and-twentieth mystery from the interior, but the first from the exterior, which is the Great Uncontainable, in which I am enwrapped, and before I had gone to the Height to receive my second vesture, — while I sat with you in this region, which is the Mount of Olives, that the time was completed of which I had said to Pistis Sophia: ’ Adamas and all his rulers will constrain thee.’